Social
Security

Jo Anne B. Barnhart

As head of the Social Security Administration, Commissioner Jo Anne
Barnhart has responsibility for administering the Social Security programs
(retirement, survivors and disability), as well as the Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) program.

Social Security provides financial protection to 160 million workers
and their families, and more than 48 million Americans receive monthly
Social Security retirement, disability or survivors benefits. The SSI
program pays monthly benefits to more than 7 million Americans who have
little or no resources and who are aged, blind or disabled.

The Social Security Administration is an independent, federal agency
headquartered in suburban Baltimore, with offices in Washington, D.C.,
and in 1,500 other locations nationwide.

Serving a term of office that will run through January 19, 2007, Commissioner
Barnhart was nominated by President George W. Bush on July 17, 2001,
and confirmed by the United States Senate on November 2 of that year.
She is the third longest serving Commissioner in agency history.

Before her appointment by President Bush, Commissioner Barnhart served
for more than four years as a member of the Social Security Advisory
Board, an independent body created to advise the Congress on Social Security
issues and policies.

A former Social Security employee, Ms. Barnhart worked in the Office
of Family Assistance from 1981-1986, first as Deputy Associate Commissioner
and then as Associate Commissioner. She served as minority staff director
for the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs from 1986-1990. From
1990-1993, she served as Assistant Secretary for Children and Families
at the Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing more than
65 programs, including Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

During her career, Ms. Barnhart has served as Senator William V. Roth,
Jr.’s legislative assistant (1977-1981) and as his campaign manager (1988, 1994 and
2000), and managed her own political and public policy consulting firm.

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Commissioner Barnhart was
born in Memphis, Tennessee. She lives in Virginia with her husband and
son.

Social Security Administration, Baltimore, MD 21235-0001

This document was archived for historical purposes at the conclusion of Commissioner Barnhart's term of office.